OKay, I've listened through twice

[Eric]

(1) Star Spangled Banner - THIS...is the way to open a show!

(2) Anyway You Want It - Started out sounding good, but overall JSS 'svoice kinda misses a bit. But then again I'm used to hearing the song sung one way. His interaction with the crowd is immediately felt and heard though...which is kinda amazing for one of his first shows. The band is obviously playing HARD.

(3) Ask the Lonely - They should probably axe this with JSS....this didn't work. Can Castronovo do it?

(4) Only the Young - The band is fired up! JSS actually sounds better on this than Ask the Lonely, which seems odd? He did struggle at the end, but so did P and A.

(5) Stone in Love - Need Castronovo to sing this (he is doing some I think)...and they CANNOT EVER remove this from the setlist. Schon added some fire at the end of this beast. I liked JSS ending.

(6) Wheel in the Sky - Again, its tough because you're used to hearing this song sung one way. I didn't think it sounded bad at all though. Schon is shredding. JSS's has added some nice ad libbing.

(7) Whose Crying Now - Castronovo sings this, and it was great. You really needed the Perry-esque vocals for this, even though its clear his voice isn't as dominant and powerful as JSS's after hearing them back-to-back. The song's heart is of course Schon's solo, which he changed up a bit. Its better than the studio version, but not better than the 2001 Arrival DVD solo. JSS still directed, and that sounded right.

(8) Chain Reaction - This rocked! Its as if this is how the song should sound. JSS sounded like he owned this MF'er!

(9) Lights - I hate this song either way

(10) Open Arms - Castronovo sings this like Perry. They have to play this for the greatest hits crowd, but I have little need for it. Cain's solo was pretty and new this year.

(11) Lovin,touchin,squeezin - I love their new blues intro and outro (actually thats not new), but wish they'd skip the actual song. JSS sounds right at home with the blues.

(12) Escape - Maybe the best song of the night..IMMENSE energy. JSS sounds fine and goes back and forth with Castronovo. The contrast sounds great between JSS's deeper voice and the high harmonies.

(13) Dead or Alive - A deeeeep cut and a surprise. I'm not a big fan of this tune, and a Greatest Hit or fan fave would have been better here, however, JSS really sounds great on this...and the band continues its heavier approach here. Again, its like its JSS's song when you hear this. The guy can roar!

(14) Faithfully - Castronovo sounded gorgeous on this, and nobody could complain about this version at all. Cain's intro was new and not well suited for the song in my opinion.

(15) Don't Stop Believing - Did JSS struggle...YES. Is his voice right for this song...NO. BUT, there isn't a person alive that can sing this circa Perry 1981...and whoever tries is basically playing Karoke with a wild crowd. This song is like a new hit on the radio. Its all over and everyone's singing drowns out everyone anyone. The band was tight and it worked.

(16) Seperate Ways - KABAM. JSS sounds fine and the band tears the bitch up. This song ended the show on a huge upper.

All in all, after hearing this show, although I'm a tad dissapointed... I do see JSS working as Journey's frontman, especially with his potential chemistry of writing new material with Schon. They need to find his 12-15 best songs from Journey's catalogue and Castronovo's 6-8 best, and that should make for a great show that plays enough of the hits to satisfy the casual fan.

[fred_journeyman]

I've got a question...I forget which song it was, but right in the middle of one of the tunes, it sounded like JSS screamed or something and then nothing and then he came in a bit late. What WAS that? Anyone know?

[*Laura]

I've got a question...I forget which song it was, but right in the middle of one of the tunes, it sounded like JSS screamed or something and then nothing and then he came in a bit late. What WAS that? Anyone know?

We all heard that...

I don't wanna say what I think,so I'll go with NIG's assumption:

NealIsGod wrote:

WTF happens at 1:38 into Only the Young? Did Ross goose JSS's ass or something?

[Big J]

Only the Young. I dunno what the hell that was. At first I thought it was feedback, then an asthma attack, then it sounded like he got kicked in the groin. No clue.

[Red13JoePa]

Yea, Ross gave him the 5-on-2 treatment. One way to get him perryesque I guess.

[Jeremey]

I know this cannot be what he said, but during the Charlotte show at one point, Jeff was yelling to the crowd and running across the stage, and I swear to God he said "I think someone just farted!"

I am not sure if it appears in the CLT boot or not - It may have been between songs. But he said something that sounded EXACTLY like that.

[brywool]

This is what's weird...
I listened to the boot and found it HORRIBLE. Mostly unlistenable (accept for laughs). Yet other people listen to it and think "It's okay". That's weird how music can be interpretted so many ways. That's the cool thing about it I guess, but I just think this guy's voice is not for this band. His range is way too low for the songs.

[Red13JoePa]

Some audience boots SUCK.

[iLex]

Being Jeff's good friend and webmaster for his media section I've been following this whole Journey-thing with him from day 1. More than anyone else I'm very much aware of Jeff's capabilities and I don't think the Atlanta bootleg is doing him any justice!
I think you all should know that Jeff's been singing EVERY week for the past 5-6 months with 'Boogie Knights' on the weekends, then blowing out his voice with sessions, the forthcoming Talisman album & his new solo stuff... and then Journey flew him over to stand in for Augeri who got ill!
Although concert reviews are great, the 2 weeks of recharge he gets at the end of this month will make him go on even stronger!... wait and see!

[A Fire Inside]

and then Journey flew him over to stand in for Augeri who got ill!

[conversationpc]

(1) Star Spangled Banner - THIS...is the way to open a show!

I agree. This is the way Boston did it on the 2004 summer tour. Actually, Tom Scholz pretended to be a roadie who was tuning up the guitar and all of a sudden he launches into the Star Spangled Banner, along with the rest of the band. He had me fooled. I should've known, though, because the guy is 6'8". I mean, how many roadies are that tall?

[Barb]

That's understandable. I know Jeff is a great singer -- I've heard him. But Journey fans are not going to accept someone who doesn't sound like Journey and sounds so bad trying to.

I just can't see myself shelling out any more cash on Journey unless Steve A. or Steve P. come back. If they can find a suitable replacement singer that can sing these songs naturally, I might consider that.

Being Jeff's good friend and webmaster for his media section I've been following this whole Journey-thing with him from day 1. More than anyone else I'm very much aware of Jeff's capabilities and I don't think the Atlanta bootleg is doing him any justice!
I think you all should know that Jeff's been singing EVERY week for the past 5-6 months with 'Boogie Knights' on the weekends, then blowing out his voice with sessions, the forthcoming Talisman album & his new solo stuff... and then Journey flew him over to stand in for Augeri who got ill!
Although concert reviews are great, the 2 weeks of recharge he gets at the end of this month will make him go on even stronger!... wait and see!

[whocares]

Sounds like you'll have a ton of extra spending money then, Barb.

[AR]

agree. This is the way Boston did it on the 2004 summer tour. Actually, Tom Scholz pretended to be a roadie who was tuning up the guitar and all of a sudden he launches into the Star Spangled Banner, along with the rest of the band. He had me fooled. I should've known, though, because the guy is 6'8". I mean, how many roadies are that tall?

That fooled me too. That was a pretty inventive way to start a show.

[fred_journeyman]

Only the Young. I dunno what the hell that was. At first I thought it was feedback, then an asthma attack, then it sounded like he got kicked in the groin. No clue.

It was really weird to hear. Sounded like a teenage girl screaming, but maybe the sound system for his mic crapped out for a second.

[NealIsGod]

Only the Young. I dunno what the hell that was. At first I thought it was feedback, then an asthma attack, then it sounded like he got kicked in the groin. No clue.

It was really weird to hear. Sounded like a teenage girl screaming, but maybe the sound system for his mic crapped out for a second.

I dunno, but it is pretty damn funny.

[swepett]

(1) Star Spangled Banner - THIS...is the way to open a show!

I agree. This is the way Boston did it on the 2004 summer tour. Actually, Tom Scholz pretended to be a roadie who was tuning up the guitar and all of a sudden he launches into the Star Spangled Banner, along with the rest of the band. He had me fooled. I should've known, though, because the guy is 6'8". I mean, how many roadies are that tall?

But the next time Neal tours Europe, he should think an extra time if he should play it. No, it's not about Europeans hating America but I think it just doesn't do the same for us as it might do for US fans. It's just five minutes of guitar wanking to me, five minutes that could have been used to play "Higher Place" or something.

And in some countries of course, it could surely be an insult to play it.

[AR]

But the next time Neal tours Europe, he should think an extra time if he should play it. No, it's not about Europeans hating America but I think it just doesn't do the same for us as it might do for US fans. It's just five minutes of guitar wanking to me, five minutes that could have been used to play "Higher Place" or something.

And in some countries of course, it could surely be an insult to play it.

I didn't realize they were doing SSB in Europe. That is kind of odd. I'm totally Red White and Blue all the way but at best that would be an "uncomfortable" choice outside of the U.S.

[Moon Beam]

Eric thank you for giving us a play by play
opinion of each song, I loved that!
Good job man

[Rockindeano]

:D Yea, Ross gave him the 5-on-2 treatment. One way to get him perryesque I guess.

So if Ross did it to Augeri, would it be called a 5 on 0? As in ball-less?

[whocares]

But the next time Neal tours Europe, he should think an extra time if he should play it. No, it's not about Europeans hating America but I think it just doesn't do the same for us as it might do for US fans. It's just five minutes of guitar wanking to me, five minutes that could have been used to play "Higher Place" or something.

And in some countries of course, it could surely be an insult to play it.

I think it's totally Self-indulgent of Neal to do that. It's like Journey are actually playing the Dirty Bakers Dozen, because he plays it every frickin' night. I'm not unpatriotic, but damn, give it up for awhile. Play it on Memorial Day, play it on July 4th, play it on Labor Day, the rest of the time, play another song, when you have limited time to play each night.

[Barb]

Did he play that in Europe? I have the Manchester boot, and he did a solo, but I don't think it was the anthem.

Is he being self indulgent, or perhaps honoring our troops who are fighting a war in his own way?

But the next time Neal tours Europe, he should think an extra time if he should play it. No, it's not about Europeans hating America but I think it just doesn't do the same for us as it might do for US fans. It's just five minutes of guitar wanking to me, five minutes that could have been used to play "Higher Place" or something.

And in some countries of course, it could surely be an insult to play it.

I think it's totally Self-indulgent of Neal to do that. It's like Journey are actually playing the Dirty Bakers Dozen, because he plays it every frickin' night. I'm not unpatriotic, but damn, give it up for awhile. Play it on Memorial Day, play it on July 4th, play it on Labor Day, the rest of the time, play another song, when you have limited time to play each night.

[A Fire Inside]

I think it's totally Self-indulgent of Neal to do that. It's like Journey are actually playing the Dirty Bakers Dozen, because he plays it every frickin' night. I'm not unpatriotic, but damn, give it up for awhile. Play it on Memorial Day, play it on July 4th, play it on Labor Day, the rest of the time, play another song, when you have limited time to play each night.

BUT IT IS HIS BAND!! OMG!! HE CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS!! REMEMBER???

[Abitaman]

But the next time Neal tours Europe, he should think an extra time if he should play it. No, it's not about Europeans hating America but I think it just doesn't do the same for us as it might do for US fans. It's just five minutes of guitar wanking to me, five minutes that could have been used to play "Higher Place" or something.

And in some countries of course, it could surely be an insult to play it.

I think it's totally Self-indulgent of Neal to do that. It's like Journey are actually playing the Dirty Bakers Dozen, because he plays it every frickin' night. I'm not unpatriotic, but damn, give it up for awhile. Play it on Memorial Day, play it on July 4th, play it on Labor Day, the rest of the time, play another song, when you have limited time to play each night.

When I was at the Journey Def Lep concert the other night, Neal playing the song was no were near as bad as Def displying the Britsh flag on the stage's back ground. I mean the were in the USA. . Besides, America needs a pick me up, and Neal puts the best spin on the anthem, gets people on thier feet-ERIC

[fred_journeyman]

I just can't see myself shelling out any more cash on Journey unless Steve A. or Steve P. come back. If they can find a suitable replacement singer that can sing these songs naturally, I might consider that.

After hearing the "boots" recently, I'm at that point myself. They either need to stay with Augeri (doubtful), get Perry (exceedingly doubtful) or go with someone else entirely than Soto. He's very, very good, but I don't see him fitting into Journey.